NHS cancer services at tipping point

According to Cancer Research UK, NHS cancer services in England are struggling following years of cost savings and recent reforms in the NHS.

The charity is calling for greater funding to meet the demands of an ageing population.

In 2013-14, GPs referred nearly 1.5 million patients in England with suspected cancer, which was an increase of 50% from 2009-10.

According to the report, however, there is no capacity to respond to the demand, and there should be an urgent review into the management of services across the NHS.

Cancer Research’s Chief Executive Harpal Kumar, said “In many ways NHS cancer services have held up remarkably well.

“Staff have bravely dug in and done their best in the face of overwhelming change, increased demand, squeezed budgets and fragmented leadership.

“But that cannot continue indefinitely.

“More people are surviving cancer than ever before – survival rates in the UK have doubled in the last 40 years because research is delivering better diagnosis and treatments.

“But the number of cases is also going up as the UK population ages.

“The NHS will need to be fit to meet that purpose and that needs increased investment, planning and leadership now.”

National Clinical Director for cancer at NHS England, Sean Duffy, said “The NHS is successfully seeing 50% more patients than four years ago and survival rates have never been higher.

“Almost nine out of 10 patients say their care is excellent or very good.

“But Cancer Research UK is right to highlight the need for more integrated commissioning between specialist and local services.”

Jane Ellison, Public Health Minister, said “This government has prioritised cancer, investing three-quarters of a billion pounds over four years to improve early diagnosis and treatment.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in Medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/Medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our Medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 028 2969